Classes I teach at Caltech
The meaning of Professor derives from "to profess" or "to
declare publicly". All too often, in our research-dominated
universities, this key function of a professor is neglected. I love to teach
and offer the following undergraduate and graduate classes:
-
Introduction to Computation and Neural Systems
(CNS100) This one unit course introduces students to the wide
variety of research being undertaken by CNS faculty. Topics from all
the CNS research labs are discussed and span the range from biology to
engineering. Offered in the fall of 2006.
- The Neuronal
Basis of Consciousness (CNS/Bi/Psy 120). This nine unit
class, taught in the spring of each year, is concerned with the
correlates of consciousness in the brain. The course focuses on the
anatomy, physiology and psychology of sensory consciousness in the
mammalian brain, in particular visual perception. Other topics
include coma and other disturbances of consciousness, clinical case
studies (e.g., prosopagnosia, neglect), attention, memory, zombie
systems, free will and some philosophical questions of interest to the
student of consciousness. Offered in the spring of 2006.
-
Vision: From Computational Theory to Neuronal Mechanisms
(CNS/Bi/EE 186). This twelve unit class is aimed at
understanding visual information processing, in both machines and the
mammalian visual system. The course emphasizes vision at several
levels: computational theory, algorithms, psychophysics and the
neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of the mammalian visual system. The
focus is on early vision processes: motion analysis, binocular stereo,
brightness, color and texture analysis and boundary detection.
Students are required to complete one project (mathematical analysis,
computer modeling, or psychophysics). Offered in the winter term of
2005/06, this class is co-taught with Profs. Shimojo and
Perona.